Recommended - The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation.

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1 LAW 17 LEGAL WRITING Instructor: Henry Soledad, Esq. Office: Faculty Office #20 Meeting Time: Tuesdays 8:30 9:55 PM (mandatory) Location: CMS 005 Office hours: Before or after class Tuesday evenings. Etudes Site Resources: LexisNexis (required) available through the LAMC bookstore. Recommended - The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation. COURSE DESCRIPTION Catalog: CSU 3 units. This course consists of advanced legal drafting and writing, including research and special projects. The student will draft a business letter, a demand letter, a Legal Memorandum, a Mandatory Settlement Conference Brief, a Motion for Summary Judgment, and a Final Research Project. Law 17 introduces the student to advanced legal drafting and writing, including research and special projects. The student will also study and learn the essentials of legal research. COURSE ORGANIZATION Law 17 is organized into assignments, quizzes, and one final paper. COURSE TEXT LexisNexis (required) available through the LAMC bookstore. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES By the end of the class, students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate their knowledge in the substantive law and procedures of legal writing including Legal Writing in Plain English, preparing Business Letters, Demand Letters, Legal Opinion Letters, Legal Argumentation, How to do an A+ research paper, Legal Memorandum, Mandatory Settlement Conference, Motion for Summary Judgment, Legal Research and Writing papers 2. "Think critically" in law, and in the area of legal writing

2 3. Brief a law case in legal writing 4. Prepare a legal research and writing paper in the area of legal writing - using correct legal research procedures, citations, and good legal writing content, form, and presentation. Students will read law cases and write a case briefs demonstrating their understanding and application of the essential facts and rules of law and legal principles of the case. See case brief rubric at Skill Level: College level reading and writing; ability to access the internet. Necessary skills include proficiency using a word processing program, including spell checker, using a web browser, sending and receiving , saving documents as RTFs (rich text format), uploading and attaching documents. GRADING & EVALUATION The class will be composed of assignments, quizzes, and written projects. The deadlines will be clearly posted on etudes. Quizzes will be posted and students are expected to fill in their answers to the multiple choice/essay questions during a deadline period. After the time period has expired, the quiz/assignment link will no longer be available, and the student will NOT be allowed to take the quiz/assignment. The "letter grade" scale is as follows. A = percent of total points B = C = D = F = Below 60 Distribution of Grades Tests = 30% of your grade Assignments = 35% of your grade Final Legal Research Paper = 25 % of your grade On-Campus Attendance = 10% of your grade LATE ASSIGNMENTS: ASSIGNMENTS SUBMITTED LATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED UNLESS PRIOR APPROVAL IS REQUESTED AND GRANTED BY THE INSTRUCTOR. EXTRA CREDIT: Since the law is in constant change, along with the advent of the Internet, issues may arise that are timely and germane to our class. Therefore, opportunities may arise during the term that allow for extra credit, although no extra credit is presently offered.

3 INCOMPLETE: If you require a grade of "incomplete," you must advise me as soon as possible and discuss the terms of its removal. ACADEMIC HONESTY: Academic honesty is highly valued at Mission College, just as it is at all colleges and universities. A student must always submit work that represents his or her original words or ideas. If any words or ideas are used that do not represent the student's original words or ideas, the student must cite all relevant sources. The student should also make it clear to what extent such sources were used. Words or ideas that require citations include, but are not limited to, all hard copy or electronic publications, whether copyrighted or not, and all verbal or visual communications when the content of such communications clearly originates from an identifiable source. All submissions to any public meeting or private mailbox fall within the scope of words and ideas that require citations if used by someone other than the original author. The submission of a plagiarized assignment will result in an F for the course. Estimated Time per Week: 10 hours (see Carnegie Rule) Class format: This class is a hybrid class, with mandatory meetings on campus Tuesday evenings, CMS 005, 8:30-9:55 pm. We use the etudes course management system. Carefully read our policies. The class follows a weekly format. If you click on the links on the left side of your etudes classroom, you will see your assignments, quizzes, and discussions. There are many opportunities for you to participate and earn points to attain a good grade. Hybrid classes require your attention and effort. If you fail to attend class on campus during the first two weeks you will be excluded from the class. There are activities and assignments each week; you will need to attend physically attend class once a week and you will need to log into etudes several times a week. To be a successful hybrid student, you need to do schedule a regular time for studying, read and complete on line activities, and more. Technical Requirements: The minimum computer requirements are: Computer, either a Macintosh or IBM compatible; modem, minimum 28.8, broadband or high speed internet access is preferred and is required to view the videos. Software: Web browser software, preferably Firefox 3.5 or Internet Explorer 8, an address and a word processing program. Get Firefox: Get Internet Explorer:

4 Get a free account at: Students who do not have regular computer access may use computers in the campus Learning Resource Center. Be sure to save all your papers and assignments on a flash drive. Course Login: Contacting Your Instructor: Please don t hesitate to contact me with any questions; me at: soledahm@lamission.edu in the subject line put: Law 17 #3200. I am also available in-person before or after the on campus class, or . EXPECTATIONS FOR WRITTEN WORK: VOCABULARY - You are expected to read and understand the material presented in the assigned text and articles you locate. FORMAT - Papers submitted should be written in accordance with the Bluebook style. GRAMMAR - Use active voice in your writing. Also use the spelling and grammar check feature of your Word Processor before submitting your papers. Homework Assignments: Assignments require you to read and brief law cases. Read the information on "briefing law cases". Below is the grading rubric for your case "briefs" CASE BRIEF GRADING RUBRIC Outstanding Proficient Adequate Inadequate A B C D/F Case Name Complete case name Complete case name Complete case name Neither the case name and Citationand properly formatted is provided but is provided but no nor the citation citation appear at the citation is incomplete citation is give appears at the top of top of the case brief the case brief OR both case name and citation are incorrect. Operative Facts Operative facts are relevant to the issue being examined by the court and are logically organized. Facts are relevant to the question being answered but lack coherence or organization. Irrelevant facts are included. Lack of logical organization. Relevant facts are omitted or lost in discussion of unrelated information.

5 Procedural Facts Issue/Short Answer Law Rationale Writing Mechanics Procedural history of the case is clearly and logically presented in proper chronology. Includes all elements (applicable law, issue being examined and relevant facts) in a well crafted, grammatically correct question. Answer responds to question being posed. Law is correct and is relevant to the question being answered. Rule(s) of law succinctly paraphrased rather than quoted. The court s reasoning is presented in a clear and logical fashion, leading the reader to an understanding of the rationale behind the law. Sentence structure, grammar, punctuation are substantially correct. Each component s material is logically organized and presented in a clear, concise manner. Procedural history of Some procedural the case is presented history is presented. but chronology is confusing. Issue is separately articulated, but does not include all elements; applicable law, issue being examined and relevant facts. Answer responds to question being posed. Law is correct and is relevant to the question being answered, but is not paraphrased Law is applied to the facts, but the underlying rationale is not clear. Sentence structure, grammar, punctuation are substantially correct. Issue is not separately articulated, but implied through description of facts or discussion of law. Answer does not respond to question being posed. Rules of law are used in providing answer, but it is unclear if writer understands the law and is properly applying it. Analysis is unclear, causing the reader to question whether the law is correct. Organization is logical unclear, making it but needs better difficult to consistency and understand. clarity. **above adopted from case grading rubric - AAFPE.org website No procedural history is presented. Issue is not articulated No answer is given. Rules of law are omitted from answer or incorrect law is used. No analysis of the law is given. Adherence to rules of Rules of writing are writing is poor. ignored or misunderstood. Material lacks organization and/or isno apparent logic to the organization of the material. Writing lacks clarity. Students who plagiarize will receive zero credit on the assignment, may fail the class entirely and face further disciplinary actions. Late Assignments Our "Late Work" Policy is firm.

6 Reasonable Accommodation: For students requiring accommodation the DSPS office provides special assistance in areas like: registering for courses, specialized tutoring, note-taking, mobility assistance, special instruction, testing assistance, special equipment, special materials, instructor liaisons, community referrals, and job placement. The phone number for the Office of Students with Disabled Student Programs and Services is: (818) Check the Academic Calendar for Important Dates If you stop attending a class (or wish to drop a class), YOU MUST DROP THE CLASS YOURSELF ONLINE OFFICIALLY on or before the specified date. Failure to do so may result in a grade of F in that class. REGISTRATION INFORMATION Website (Student Information System) Admission Regular Office Hours (Subject to change) Monday and Thursday 8am-5pm Tuesday and Wednesday 8am-7pm Friday 8am-12noon If you stop attending a class (or wish to drop a class), YOU MUST DROP THE CLASS YOURSELF OFFICIALLY on or before the specified date). Failure to do so may result in a grade of F in that class New 3 Repeat Rule IMPORTANT NOTICE All Students Please Read Beginning Summer 2012: New 3 Repeat Rule EFFECTIVE SUMMER 2012, course withdrawal ( W ) or a substandard grade ( D, F, or NP ) count as an attempt at a course. Only three attempts at any one course will be allowed, with some exceptions. Listed below are the new rules that all students need to know about. Students who drop or are excluded after the last day to drop without a grade of W will have a W appear on their transcript. The W will count as an attempt for that course. For the Spring Semester, February 23, 2014 is the last day to drop a 16-week semester length class without a W. Students will be able to drop a class online until this date. Contact the office of Admissions and Records for deadlines on late start, short-term and special program classes. A course in a student s transcript which currently shows a recorded W counts as an attempt for that course. Students will not be allowed to register for any course within the LACCD if there are three recorded

7 attempts for that course in any combination of W, D, F, or NP grades. Add permits for a course within the LACCD will not be processed if there are three recorded attempts for that course in any combination of W, D, F, or NP grades. For courses specifically designated as repeatable, students may repeat up to three times (See Title 5 California Code of Regulations sections 55040, 55041, 58161). Where the student s number of enrollments in a course exceeds the allowable amount, the student may petition for an additional enrollment in cases of extenuating circumstances. What students should do: Be sure you are academically ready for classes you enroll in. If you must drop a course, drop before the specified deadline for dropping a class without a grade of W. SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS If you require special accommodations for a disability, religious holiday, or any other reason please inform your instructor(s) within the first week of the course and we will accommodate you if at all possible. For accommodations due to disability, you must consult with the Disabled Students Programs and Services Office after which we will abide by their recommendations. COLLEGE RESOURCES FOR LAMC STUDENTS see Admissions and Records: Students can register for classes, request transcripts, file petitions for graduation, and drop classes at this office. For more information call or visit: Assessment Center: Offers student assessments in English, English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) and Mathematics. Please contact the Assessment Center at (818) for more information or visithttp:// Bookstore: For hours of operation, book availability, buybacks, and other information call or 7768 or visithttp://eagleslanding.lamission.edu/default.asp Counseling Department: For appointments and information call or visit Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSP&S): For appointments, eligibility and

8 information call or visit Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOP&S): For appointments, eligibility and information call or visit Financial Aid: For information and applications call or visit Library: For information on hours, resources, workshops, and other services contact or visithttp:// STEM Office: For information on free tutoring, resources and academic counseling for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Technology) students visit: Tutoring Services in Learning Center: Laboratories for Learning, Writing, Math & Science. Walk-in and appointment services offered. Call or visit Three Attempt Limit A new state policy in effect as of 2012 limits students to three attempts per course. Receiving a grade or a "W" for a course counts as an attempt, regardless of when the course was taken. Withdrawal by the deadline to avoid a "W" will not count as an attempt.